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American 
Woolen ■ Company 

Mills 




American Woolen Company 



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WM. M.WOOD, PRESIDENT 

245 State Street 

Boston, Mass. 



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Copyright, 1920 

American Woolen Company 

Boston, Mass. 



Arranged and Printed by 

LivERMORE & Knight Co. 

Providence — New York 



APR 16 1920 



©CU566535 



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AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 



Preface 




HE American Woolen Company is by far 
the largest manufacturer of woolen and 
worsted fabrics in the world. It owns, 
controls and operates fifty-six mills, besides 

other plants and storehouses, in thirty-nine places, in 

eight different states. 

This book gives views of many of the properties of 
the American Woolen Co., together with some interest- 
ing matter as to some of the cities, towns and villages 
where these properties are located. The views of the 
mills are grouped according to states, and the names 
of the towns and cities are arranged alphabetically in 
each state. There is also an alphabetical index of the 
names of the mills, giving the pages where the views 
of the different properties may be found. 

It is believed this information will be of interest 
to the stockholders of the Company, as well as to many 
others, and will enable them to have some conception 
of the magnitude and facilities of this unparalleled 
organization. 

William M. Wood, President. 







■ • A M E R 


1 C A N 


• Vs/ O O L E N 


• COMPANV- 1 





■ List of Mills • 

Alphabetically Arranged 

American Waste Exchange . . . Medford, Mass. 

Anchor-Inman Mills .... Harrisville, R. I. 

Anchor-Sheffield Mills .... Pascoag, R. I. . 

Anderson Mills Skowhegan, Maine 

Arden Mills Fitchburg, Mass. 

Arms Mills Skowhegan, Maine 

Assabet Mills Maynard, Mass. 

Ayer Mills Lawrence, Mass. 

Baltic Mills Enfield, N. H. . 

Bay State Mills Lowell, Mass. 

Beaver Brook Mills Dracut, Mass. 

Beoli Mills Fitchburg, Mass. 

Bradford Mills Louisville, Ky. 

Brown Mills Dover, Maine 

Burlington Mills Winooski, Vt. 

Champlain Mills Winooski, Vt. 

Chase Mills Webster, Mass. 

Dracut Waste Mills .... Lowell, Mass. 

Forest Mills Bridgton, Maine 

Foxcroft Mills Foxcroft, Maine . 

Fulton Mills Fulton, N. Y. 

Globe Mills Utica, N. Y. . . 

Hartland Mills Hartland, Maine 

Hecla Mills Uxbridge, Mass. 

Indian Spring Mills Madison, Maine 

Kennebec Mills Fairfield, Maine 

Lebanon Mills Lebanon, N. H. 

Manton Mills Manton, R. L 

Mascoma Mills Lebanon, N. H. 

Moosup — Glen Falls Mills . . . Moosup, Conn. . 

Moosup (lower) Mills .... Moosup, Conn. 

Narragansett Worsted Mills . . Warren, R. I. 

National and Providence Worsted Mills Providence, R. I. 

Newport Mills Newport, Maine 

Oakland Mills Oakland, Maine 

Ounegan Mills Oldtown, Maine 

Pioneer Mills Pittsfield, Maine 



Page 

39 

81 

81 

78 

16 

77 

37 

25 

97 

32 

13 

17 

115 

53 

111 

112 

49 

33 

51 

57 

107 

109 

59 

47 

61 

55 

99 

83 

100 

105 

105 

93 

87 

63 

67 

69 

71 



^ 



AMERICAN • \A/ O O L E N • COMPANV 



Page 

Pittsfield Yarn Mills .... Pittsfield, Maine . . 72 

Prospect Mills Lawrence, Mass. ... 24 

Puritan Mills Plymouth, Mass. . . 41 

Ram's Head Yarn Mills .... Lowell, Mass. ... 34 

Ray Mills Franklin, Mass. . . 19 

Riverside Worsted Mills . . . . Providence, R. L . . .88 

Rochdale Mills Rochdale, Mass. . . . 43 

Royalston Mills So. Royalston, Mass. . .45 

Saranac Mills Blackstone, Mass. . . 11 

Sawyer Mills Dover, N. H . 95 

Sebasticook Mills Pittsfield, Maine . . 73 

Valley Mills Providence, R. L . . .89 

Vassalboro Mills No. Vassalboro, Maine . 65 

Wamesit Mills Lowell, Mass. ' . . .35 

Washington Mills Lawrence, Mass. . . 22 

Waverly Mills Pittsfield, Maine ... 74 

Weybosset Mills Providence, R. L . . 90 

Whitestone Mills Elmville, Conn. . . . 103 

Wood Worsted Mills .... Lawrence, Mass. ' . . 23 

Wool Storehouses Lawrence, Mass. . . 26-28 




AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 



List of Mills 



Grouped by States 



Massachusetts 




Page 


Blackstone . 


Saranac Mills 


. 11 


Dracut 


Beaver Brook Mills .... 


13 


Fitchburg 


Arden Mills 


. 16 




BeoH Mills 


17 


Franklin . 


Ray Mills 


. 19 


Lawrence 


Washington Mills .... 


22 




Wood Worsted Mills .... 


. 23 




Prospect Mills . . . . 


24 




Ayer Mills 


. 25 




Lawrence Storehouse 


26 




Merrimac Storehouse .... 


. 27 




Washington No. 10 Storehouse 


. . 28 


Lowell 


Bay State Mills 


. 32 




Dracut Waste Mills 


33 




Ram's Head Yarn Mills 


. 34 




Wamesit Mills 


35 


Maynard 


Assabet Mills 


. . 37 


Medford . 


American Waste Exchange 


39 


Plymouth 


Puritan Mills 


. 41 


Rochdale 


Rochdale Mills 


43 


South Royalston 


Royalston Mills 


. 45 


Uxbridge . 


Hecla Mills 


. . 47 


Webster 


Chase Mills 


. 49 


Maine 






Bridgton 


Forest Mills 


. 51 


Dover 


Brown Mills 


53 


Fairfield 


Kennebec Mills 


. 55 


Foxcroft . 


Foxcroft Mills 


57 


Hartland 


Hartland Mills 


. 59 


Madison . 


Indian Spring Mills .... 


61 


Newport 


Newport Mills ..... 


. 63 


North Vassalboro 


Vassalboro Mills .... 


65 


Oakland 


Oakland Mills 


. 67 


Oldtown 


Ounegan Mills 


69 


Pittsfield 


Pioneer Mills 


. 71 




Pittsfield Yarn Mills 


72 




Sebasticook Mills 


. 73 



Waverly Mills 74 



AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 



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Maine (continued) 
Skowhegan 

Rhode Island 
Harrisville . 
Pascoag . 
Manton. 
Providence 



Warren 

New Hampshire 
Dover . 
Enfield 
Lebanon 

Connecticut 
Elmville 
Moosup . 

New York 
Fulton . 
Utica 

Vermont 

Winooski 

Kentucky 
Louisville 



Page 

Arms Mills 77 

Anderson Mills (two views) .... 78 

Anchor-Inman Mills 81 

Anchor-Sheffield Mills 81 

Manton Mills 83 

National and Providence Worsted]Mills . 87 

Riverside Worsted Mills 88 

Valley Mills 89 

Weybosset Mills 90 

Narragansett Worsted Mills .... 93 

Sawyer Mills 95 

Baltic Mills (two views) 97 

Lebanon Mills 99 

Mascoma Mills 100 

Whitestone Mills 103 

Moosup (lower) Mills 105 

Glen Falls Mills . 105 

Fulton Mills 107 

Globe Mills 109 

Burlington Mills Ill 

Champlain Mills 112 

Bradford Mills. . 115 



AMERICAN • NA^OOLEN • COMPANV* 



■ Illustrations • 

of the 

Mills of the American Woolen Company 

with some facts concerning the cities, 

towns and villages in which 

they are located. 




• AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 




i.= 



■ Blackstone ■ Mass ■ 

LACKSTONE is practically at the boundary 
line between Massachusetts and Rhode 
Island, and was named for the first white 
settler within the limits of Rhode Island — 
William Blackstone — who came from Boston in 1635 
to what is now known as Cumberland, R. I. Near 
the Blackstone River, also named for him, are his 
grave, and a well which he dug, which can be seen at the 
present day. 

Blackstone is situated on the New York, New Haven 
& Hartford Railroad, thirty-six miles from Boston, in 
the centre of a picturesque country. 

Several small streams empty into Fox Brook, which 
flows through the town, while three hills add to the 
beauties of the landscape. The town was incor- 
porated in 1845. Its principal industries are woolen, 
cotton and rubber. The town has several schools, 
churches, a library and weekly papers. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Blackstone 

SarANAC Mills, a. H. Eddy, Agent. 

Product — Fancy woolens and worsteds for men's wear. 

Equipment — 10 sets of cards, 180 broad looms, 8 narrow looms, 3388 
woolen spindles, 4 boilers, 3 water wheels. 

Employ 600. 

These mills dye and finish. 



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Saranac Mills 

•BLACKSTONE'MASS' 



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AMERICAN -VS/OOLEN • COMPANV 



Dracut ■ Mass 



' RACUT is situated in an agricultural country, 
and is a pleasant town twenty-seven miles 
northwest of Boston, on the banks of the 
fe :—^^^"^— 1 - Merrimac River, opposite Lowell, with which 
it is connected by two handsome bridges. The town's 
principal industry is woolen. 

Beaver Brook passes through the town into the 
Merrimac, and from a number of beautiful hills — 
Whortleberry Hill, Marsh Hill and Loon Hill — delight- 
ful views may be obtained. 

Gen. Joseph B. and Gen. James M. Varnum, dis- 
tinguished in the war of the Revolution, were from 
Dracut, and Capt. Peter Colburn and his company 
from this town did effective service at the battle of 
Bunker Hill. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Dracut 

Beaver Brook Mills. J. J. Henderson, Agent. 
Product — Bed blankets. 
Equipment — 38 sets of cards, 134 broad looms, 14,056 spindles, 6 boilers, 

2 water wheels. 
Employ 700. 
These mills dye and finish. 



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AMERICAN • NA^OOLEN • COMPANV- 



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•Dracut'Mass- 



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• AMERICAN • V/OOLEN • COMPANV 



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• FiTCHBURG ■ Mass ■ 

ITCHBURG, one of the county-seats of 
Worcester County, is situated on the north 
branch of the Nashua River, fifty miles west- 
northwest of Boston, and is served by the 
Boston & Maine and New York, New Haven & Hartford 
Railroads, and two trolley lines. While it was settled 
in 1719, it was part of Lunenberg until 1764, when it 
was incorporated as a town. It received its name 
from John Fitch, one of the committee in the matter 
of incorporation. It was incorporated as a city in 
March, 1872. 

Fitchburg is a city of beautiful scenery, and views 
of charming landscapes may be obtained from its hills. 
In its suburbs are Whalom Park, a beautiful and attrac- 
tive resort, and Wachusett Mountain, which is a state 
reservation. Main Street is the principal thoroughfare, 
and runs along the left bank of the Nashua River. 
Fitchburg has a number of parks, in one of which is 
a fine fountain designed by Herbert Adams. In a park 
presented by one of its citizens, are the court house, 
post office, and principal public buildings. Fitchburg 
has an excellent system of public playgrounds. 

The city has a high altitude, an adequate and pure 
water supply, and a million dollar sewerage system. 
It owns and operates its own waterworks, and has 
the highest water pressure for fire service in New 
England. 

There are thirty miles of trolley tracks within 
the city limits, and in normal times, 100 passenger 
trains arrive and depart from the Union Station every 
week day. 



14 



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AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV- 



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Fitchburg contains a free public library, an art 
gallery, a high school, State Normal School, large 
musical library, Burbank Hospital, an old ladies' home, 
and other charitable institutions. While the city has 
large mercantile and financial interests, manufacturing 
is its principal industry. Its manufactures are quite 
varied, including worsted goods, paper, bicycles, re- 
volvers, steam boilers, edge tools, cotton goods, steam 
engines, saws, machinery, and auto-trucks. Fitchburg 
also has quarries of granite. In the suburbs are large 
market gardens and one of the finest apple orchards 
in the United States. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Fitchburg 

ArDEN Mills. James S. Mercer, Agent. 
Product — Worsted dress goods. 

Equipment — 168 broad looms, 3 boilers, 1 water wheel. 
These mills dye and finish. 

BeOLI Mills. Harry A. Whitcomb, Agent. 

Product — Fancy woolens and worsteds. 

Equipment — 18 sets of cards, 150 broad looms, 10 narrow looms, 6216 
spindles, 6 boilers. 

Employ 500. 

These mills dye and finish. 



15 



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AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMP A N V 




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Arden Mills 

■ FiTCHBURG • Mass • 



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Beoli Mills 

FITCHBURG-MASS' 



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WOOLEN 



C O M P A N V 



Franklin ■ Mass 



TjHERE are now many places in our country 
I named Franklin in honor of Benjamin 
( Franklin, but the first one to bear his name 
==i was Franklin, Massachusetts, in Norfolk 
County, on the New York, New Haven & Hartford 
Railroad, some twenty-seven miles southwest of Boston. 
Dr. Franklin was informed that the town was to bear 
his name, and it was suggested that it would be very 
appropriate for him to present the town with a bell 
to call the people to church. His reply was thoroughly 
characteristic — he said he presumed that the people 
"were more fond of sense than sound," and he sent them 
a well-selected library of one hundred and sixteen 
volumes, of which ninety-one are still preserved. 

The town was incorporated in 1778, being separated 
from Wrentham. A battle with the Indians took place 
in Franklin in 1676 and ''Indian Rock" is the name of a 
memorial perpetuating this fact. 

Franklin is surrounded by a fine farming country, 
and is the seat of Dean Academy, and was the birth- 
place of Horace Mann, a noted early educator. The 
manufactures of the town are woolen goods, felts, 
shoddy, cotton goods and straw hats. 



The American Woolen Co.*s Mills 
AT Franklin 

Ray Mills. Thos. Sampson, Agent. 
Product — Fancy woolens. 

Equipment — 9 sets of cards, 61 broad looms, 3000 spindles, 4 boilers. 
Employ 250. 
These mills dye and finish. 



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Lawrence ■ Mass 




HE city of Lawrence, which has been well 
called the "Worsted City of America," 
received its name from Abbott Lawrence, 
a brother of the founder of Lawrence 
Scientific School at Harvard, who was grandfather of 
Bishop Lawrence. The city is situated on both sides 
of the Merrimac River, twenty-six miles north -north- 
east of Boston, on the Boston & Maine Railroad. 

Here is an enormous water power, with a fall of 
28 feet in one-half mile. A great stone dam, 900 feet 
long, crosses the river and is bolted to a solid ledge 
at the bottom of the river, producing over 12,000 
h. p., and driving more than a million spindles and 
looms. 

The great textile manufactures of Lawrence are 
its most important industry. 

The American Woolen Co.'s Washington Mills, Ayer 
Mills, Prospect Mills, and the new Wood Worsted 
Mills (the Wood Worsted Mills being the largest 
worsted mills in the world, and covering 29 acres) are 
here. Here are the Pacific Mills and Arlington Mills, 
here are large cotton mills, and the largest print mills 
in the world. In Lawrence also are many other large 
industries, among them the Champion International 
Paper Co., which has one of the largest paper plants 
in the world. 

It is said that one-half of the population of Law- 
rence is foreign-born. 

Near the centre of the city is a fine green square 
surrounded by churches and various city and county 



20 



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AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 



buildings. There are fine civic buildings, a large 
public library, a Masonic Temple, the Lawrence General 
Hospital, and large and well-kept public parks. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Lawrence 

Washington Mills. Robert T. Todd, Agent. 
Product — Men's wear and 8 to 60 worsted yarns. 
Equipment — 101 worsted cards, 114 worsted combs, 1572 broad looms, 

1 narrow loom, 90,948 worsted spindles, 22 boilers, 10 water wheels, 
electric. 

Employ 6500. 

These mills dye and finish. 

Wood Worsted Mills, w. M. Lamont, Agent. 

Product — Men's worsted wear and worsted yarns. 
Equipment — 18 sets woolen cards, 140 worsted cards, 1500 broad looms, 
141 worsted combs, 12,800 woolen spindles, 213,928 worsted spindles. 

Prospect Mills. Jos. A. Clapp, Agent. 
Product — 8 to 60 worsted yarns. 

Equipment — 6400 worsted spindles, 3000 twister spindles, 2 boilers, 

2 water wheels. 

Employ 200. 

AyER Mills. Jas. Boothman, Agent. 

Product — Men's- wear worsteds. 

Equipment — 50 worsted cards, 400 broad looms, 1 narrow loom, 60 
worsted combs, 44,732 spindles, 9 boilers of 600 rated h. p. each. 

Storehouses 

Lawrence storehouse — 160' x 170' — 6 stories and a basement. 
Merrimac storehouse — 390' x 108' — 7 stories and a basement. 
Washington No. 10 storehouse — 154' x 165' — 10 stories. 



21 



AMERICAN 



WOOLEN 



COMPANY 



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Washington Mills 

• Lawrence • Mass ■ 



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Wood Worsted Mills 

• Lawrence • Mass • 



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AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANY 




Prospect 


MILLS 


•Lawrence- 

1 


Mass* 



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AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COMPANV 




Ayer Mills 

Lawrence • Mass 



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AMERICAN • NA^OOLEN • COMPANV 




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Lawrence Storehouse 

■ Lawrence ■ Mass • 



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AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COMPANV- 




Merrimac Storehouse 

• Lawrence • Mass • 



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STOREHOUSE 
• Lawrence • Mass ■ 



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■ Lowell ■ Mass ■ 

'OWELL is twenty-five miles northwest of Bos- 
ton, on the New York, New Haven & Hart- 
ford and Boston & Maine Railroads, and on 
^ the Merrimac River, at the mouth of the 
Concord. In the year 1792 a company was formed to 
construct a canal around Pawtucket Falls at the point 
where Lowell is now situated, and in 1826 the Merrimac 
Manufacturing Co. erected a factory here. Lowell was 
incorporated as a town in 1826, and as a city in 1836. 

The site of Lowell is uneven and picturesque, with 
a fine view of the mountains of New Hampshire. There 
are four bridges across the Merrimac, and three across 
the Concord River. The business centre of the city 
runs along the bank of the river, while the residences 
are up on the hills. In Monument Square, in the centre 
of the city, are the City Hall and Memorial Hall. Lowell 
has many public institutions, among others the State 
Normal School and the Lowell Textile School (the 
latter the largest and best-equipped school of its kind 
in the world). 

The falls of the Merrimac, thirty-two feet, with six 
and a half miles of distributing canals, furnish an im- 
mense water powder for use of manufacturers, and from 
these great factories a large part of the prosperity of 
the city is derived. The names '^Spindle City" and 
"Manchester of America" are applied to Lowell, it 
being one of the great textile manufacturing cities 
of the world. Woolen goods, cotton goods of many 
kinds, flannels, carpets, cassimeres, beavers, and serges 
are made here. Among other manufactures are ma- 
chinery, boilers, cartridges, tools, paper, screws, files 



30 



AMERICAN 



^ 



and patent medicines. The largest bleacheries in the 
country are in Lowell. It was given its name in honor 
of Francis Cabot Lowell, who developed the power 
loom and other cotton machinery. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Lowell 

Bay State Mills, f. G. Thomas, Agent. 

Product — Cloakings and worsteds. 

Equipment — 25 sets of cards, 115 broad looms, 11,160 spindles, 5 boilers, 

2 water wheels. 
Employ 700. 
These mills finish. 

Ram's Head Yarn Mills, b. J. Murphy, Agent. 

Product — Woolen yarns. 

Equipment — 16 sets of cards, 7920 spindles, 3 boilers. 

WaMESIT Mills. Harry Mosley, Jr., Supt. 

Product — Weaving and knitting worsted yarns. 

Equipment — 1 worsted comb, 3600 worsted spindles, 1 boiler, 1 water 
wheel. 

Dracut Waste Mills, w. J. Bickford, Supt. 

Equipment — 10 rag pickers, 8 cards, and carbonizing equipment. 



31 



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■ Lowell -Mass* 



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• Lowell -Mass- 



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•Lowell -MASS" 



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Maynard ■ Mass 



^^^^ ''"N the Assabet River, and served by the 
I I Boston & Maine Railroad, Maynard is ten 
V_^ miles east-southeast of Marlboro, and twenty- 
'!!^ seven miles from Boston. It was incorpor- 



ated April 19, 1871. 

The Assabet River furnishes a very valuable water 
power to the woolen and powder mills, which are the 
chief industries of the place. The regular flow of this 
river is maintained in the dry season by water stored 
in two reservoirs — Fort Meadow Reservoir, which was 
the original reservoir for the water supply of the city 
of Boston, and Boon Pond, near which is the grave 
of Mathew Boon, with a stone bearing the following 
inscription : 

''On this hill lived Mathew Boon, one 
of the first two settlers in Stow. Was killed 
by Indians about February 14, 1676." 

The Assabet Mills of the American Woolen Com- 
pany at Maynard are the largest woolen mills in the 
world. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Maynard 

Assabet Mills, o. C. Drechsler, Agent. 

Product — Men's wear. 

Equipment — 153 sets of cards, 760 broad looms, 55,576 spindles, 5 
boilers of 945 rated h. p. each, 1 water wheel. 

These mills also dye. 



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•AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COM PA N Y • 










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AssABET Mills 

• Maynard • Mass • 



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AMERICAN • NA^OOLEN * COMPANV- 



■ Medford ■ Mass ■ 

EDFORD is a residential suburb of Boston, 
is situated on the Mystic River, and 
served by the Boston & Maine Railroad. 
For many years it was noted for its ship 
building. As a matter of fact, one of the first ships 
launched in America was built in Medford as early as 
1631, but for the past fifty years this industry has 
been eliminated. Medford now has manufactures of 
woolen goods, print goods, felt boots, brick, chemicals, 
etc. It was first settled in 1630, by those who landed 
at Salem, who called the place ''Meadford," and much 
of its area was originally the plantation of Mathew 
Cradock, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay 
Company. Medford also included a portion of Gover- 
nor Winthrop's "Ten Hills Farm." Paul Revere, on 
his famous ride, rode through Medford, and in response 
to his alarm the Medford ''minute men" were soon on 
their way to Lexington and Concord. 

Medford is the seat of Tufts College, a Universalist 
institution of some twenty college buildings. Medford 
was chartered as a city in 1892. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Medford 

American Waste Exchange. 

Harry M. Payne, Mgr. Geo. M. Wallace, Agent. 
Reclamation of wool. 
Equipment — 2 sets woolen cards, 2 worsted cards, 6 garnetts, 4 pickers, 

electric. 
Employ 300. 



38 



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AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV* 




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American 
Waste Exchange 

■ Medford ■ Mass ■ 



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• AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANY 



Plymouth ■ Mass 



jfflSTORIC old Plymouth — the first perma- 

Hnent white settlement in New England — 
j dates its founding from the landing of the 
=^==Ji Pilgrims from the "Mayflower" on Plym- 
outh Rock, December 21st, 1620. It was named 
Plymouth because the Pilgrims sailed from Plymouth, 
England, its Indian name being Patuxet. Plymouth 
abounds with interesting historical landmarks, among 
them being Plymouth Rock, a granite boulder on which 
the Pilgrim fathers are said to have landed ; Pilgrim Hall, 
erected in 1824 and remodeled in 1880, which contains 
many relics of the Pilgrims; Pilgrim Monument, built 
entirely of granite, commenced in 1859 and dedicated 
in 1889; Cole's Hill, where, in their first winter in 
America, the Pilgrims buried half their number. 

Plymouth is situated on Plymouth Bay, thirty- 
seven miles by rail southeast of Boston, on the New 
York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, and in summer 
there are steamers to Boston. 

The industries of Plymouth are important and 
varied, and comprise woolens, rubber goods and cor- 
dage — the cordage works being among the largest in 
the world. Great quantities of cranberries are raised 
in the vicinity of Plymouth. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Plymouth 

Puritan Mills. Otis P. Wood, Agent. 

Product — Men's wear. 

Equipment — 226 broad looms, 18 narrow looms, 8 boilers. 

These mills dye and finish. 



40 



^ 



AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV* 




PURITAN Mills 

■ Plymouth • Mass • 



41 



di! 



AMERICAN • \A/ O O L E N • COMPANV 



^F5 



Rochdale ■ Mass 



1^ 



iit 



T||HE village of Rochdale is a part of Leicester, 
I and the territory embraced by it was 
'j bought from the Nipmuck tribe of Indians 
"" ^ j i for 15 pounds New England money, by 
nine gentlemen from Roxbury and vicinity. The deed 
was signed January 27, 1686, by the heirs of the Sachem, 
Oraskaso, who had died shortly before. The first 
settlers of Rochdale were English, and the town was 
first known as South Leicester, afterwards named 
Clappville, from Joshua Clapp, who purchased the mill 
property in 1829. The name was changed to Rochdale 
in 1869. 

Rochdale is situated on the Boston & Albany Rail- 
road, nine miles southwest of Worcester, and its manu- 
factures are woolens, satinets, and machine knives. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Rochdale 

Rochdale Mills, f. H. Jealous, Agent. 
Product — Fancy woolens. 

Equipment — 16 sets of cards, 84 broad looms, 2 narrow looms, 6720 

spindles, 3 boilers, 1 water wheel. 
These mills also dye. 



42 



=:;:^ 



^ 



^ 



AMERICAN • NA^OOLEN • COMPANV 



I 




Rochdale Mills 

• Rochdale- Mass* 



^ 



43 



=::;^ 



AMERICAN • W^ O O L E N • COMPANV 



sj 




South ■ Royalston ■ Mass ■ 

•fOUTH Royalston is in Royalston township, 
on Miller's River, twenty -seven miles west 
of Fitchburg, and is served by the Boston 
& Maine Railroad. Among the grantees of 

this territory, the grant being made in 1752, was Col. 

Isaac Royal of Medford, for whom Royalston was 

named. 

A number of watercourses furnish fine water 
power for the industries of the place. The town has 
a woolen mill, a number of sawmills, and other in- 
dustries. 

The Royal Glen, a wild and romantic spot two 
miles from the centre, attracts many visitors. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT South Royalston 

Royalston Mills. J. H. Henderson, Agent. 
Product — Yarns and bed blankets. 

Equipment — 10 sets of cards, 82 broad looms, 2976 woolen spindles, 3 
boilers, 3 water wheels. 

These mills also dye. 



44 



::y! 



^ 



AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COMP AN V 




=A K^W • -1 M V H 
r &-ra*' S *' '' " 



fe^i 



^^r-:^' 







ROYALSTON MILLS 

South ■ Royalston ■ Mass 



i&= 



^ 



45 



ij? 



AMERICAN • V^ O O L E N • COMPANV 



^ 




■ UxBRiDGE - Mass - 

RIGINALLY a part of Mendon, Uxbridge 
was incorporated in 1727, and was named 
in honor of the Earl of Uxbridge. Its 
Indian name was Waucantuck. It is sit- 
uated on the Blackstone River, is served by the New 
York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, and is fifteen 
miles south-southeast of Worcester. 

Uxbridge has several woolen mills, worsted mills, 
and cotton mills. There are also granite quarries here. 
The surrounding country has many flourishing farms, 
and the scenery is very beautiful. There is an old inn 
in Uxbridge, where it is said Washington stopped over 
night. 

The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Uxbridge 

HeCLA Mills, a. E. Donald, Agent. 

Product — Satinets and all sizes woolen yarns. 

Equipment — 9 sets of cards, 142 broad looms, 2 narrow looms, 6840 
woolen spindles, 3 boilers, 3 water wheels. 

These mills also dye. 



ih 



46 



:;^ 



^ 



AMERICAN • NA/ O O L E N • COMPANV 







Hecla Mills 

•UxBRiDGE- Mass- 



!ifc 



47 



:;^ 



AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 



m 




■ Webster ■ Mass ■ 

EBSTER is a railroad and manufacturing 
centre, named in honor of Daniel Webster, 
and is situated on French River, sixteen 
miles south by west of Worcester, and is 
served by the Boston & Albany and New York, New 
Haven & Hartford Railroads, and was set off from the 
towns of Oxford and Dudley in 1832. Here, in 1812, 
Samuel Slater, the ''Father of American Manufactures," 
founded a cotton mill, later a woolen mill; and he is 
buried here. 

Webster has a number of handsome public and 
private buildings. The surrounding country is beau- 
tiful with hill, lake and stream. 

Lake Chaugoggagoggmanchaugagoggagungamaug, 
with an area of over 1200 acres, serves as a reservoir to 
supply the mills in the village, and this lake probably 
has the longest name of any lake in the country. The 
manufactures of Webster are woolen goods, cotton 
goods, boots and shoes. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Webster 

Chase Mills. Prentiss Howard, Agent. 
Product — Fancy cassimeres and worsteds. 
Equipment — 17 sets of cards, 164 broad looms, 3 narrow looms, 9980 

spindles, 5 boilers, 2 water wheels. 
Employ 600, 
These mills also dye. 



48 



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iJ? 



^ 



AMERICAN 



\ 




Nl,f! 









-'"'^^ii^ 



*i»:n 








Chase Mills 

•Webster -MASS" 



& 



^ 



49 



AMERICAN 



V^ O O L E N 



C O M P A N V 



^ 



■ Bridgton ■ Maine ■ 

THIS active and important town, formerly 
known as Pondicherry, is situated forty 
III miles northwest of Portland. It was set 
over in 1761 by Massachusetts, and it is 
interesting to note that when it was set over it was 
divided into shares; one of these shares was for the 
first white settler; two were set apart for the support 
of the ministry and minister; one was for Harvard 
College; still another was devoted to the support of 
the schools, and 61 were for the proprietors. 

The town was settled in 1770, incorporated in 1794, 
and was named Bridgton for one of the proprietors. 
Moody Bridges. 

Bridgton is popular as a summer resort. The main 
street runs through the centre of the town, and from it 
many glimpses may be had of the beautiful surrounding 
country from Poland Springs to Mount Washington. 
In Bridgton are woolen mills and canneries. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Bridgton 

Forest Mills. Wm. Deacon, Jr., Agent. 
Product — Cassimeres. 

Equipment — 8 sets of cards, 40 broad looms, 2 narrow looms, 2700 
woolen spindles. 

These mills dye and finish. 



^ 



50 



=:;:y^ 



^ 



•AMERICAN • NA^OOLEN • COMPANV 




A 



/ 



i;>^-^. 









fliHiifiiiui} 



iflWklM 



sxnnwmWioi^'H'i 



- ? 



^ o--- > <^:y 



^ 






Forest Mills 

•Bridgton 'Maine- 



s& 



51 



^ 



S5 



AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN COMPANV 



Dover ■ Maine 




ITUATED on the south bank of the Piscata- 
quis River, Dover is the centre of an 
agricultural district. It is on the Maine 
Central and Bangor & Aroostook Railroads, 
fifty-three miles northwest of Bangor. 

On the north side of Dover is Foxcroft Village, 
which is connected with Dover by a bridge 265 feet 
long; as a matter of fact, the two villages seem as one. 
Fine maples and elms shade the streets and materially 
add to the attractiveness of the town. The manufac- 
tures of Dover are woolen goods, dyes, etc. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Dover 

Brown Mills. L. C. Sawyer, Agent. 

Product — Kerseys and broadcloths. 

Equipment — 11 sets of cards, 60 broad looms, 4520 spindles, 3 boilers, 
4 water wheels. 

These mills dye and finish. 



^ 



52 



i!^ 



35 



•AMERICAN WOOLEN COMPANV- 




Brown Mills 

•Dover-Maine- 



it 



S3 



liJ 



35 



AMERICAN • V^OOLEN • COMPANV- 



Fairfield ■ Maine 




^AIRFIELD is on the west bank of the 
Kennebec River, twenty-one miles north- 
east of Augusta, on the Maine Central 
Railroad, and was settled in 1774. Its 
name was that of a plantation on the site of the present 
village, this name being descriptive of the general ap- 
pearance of the surrounding country. 

The whole appearance of the town is neat and 
prosperous. It contains the Central Maine Sanitarium 
and a very fine high school, unequalled by that of 
any place of its size in the state, given by one of its 
citizens. 

Fairfield is an active industrial town, with a large 
woolen mill and a large pulp mill. In this pulp mill 
are manufactured pulp plates, there being but one 
other mill in the world with a like product. The 
town is also an agricultural centre, the crops in the 
surrounding country being chiefly grain, hay, and po- 
tatoes. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Fairfield 

Kennebec Mills. C. H. Park, Agent. 

Product — Overcoatings and fancy woolens. 

Equipment — 10 sets of cards, 59 broad looms, 5400 spindles, 2 boilers, 

2 water wheels. 
Employ 230. 
These mills dye and finish. 



54 



::^ 



AMERICAN 



^ 



WOOLEN 



C O M P A N V 




Kennebec Mills 

• Fairfield- Maine* 



55 



^ 



• AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 



m 



FoxcROFT ■ Maine 



C'^yOL. Joseph E. Foxcroft of New Gloucester, in 
the year 1800, purchased what is now the town- 
ship of Foxcroft, for about forty-five cents 
^ an acre. Foxcroft was one of the six town- 
ships given to Bowdoin College by Massachusetts. It 
is situated on the north bank of the Piscataquis River, 
nearly opposite Dover, on the Bangor & Aroostook and 
Maine Central Railroads, fifty-three miles northwest 
of Bangor. Near the town is Sebec Lake, with an area 
of twenty-two square miles. 

At Foxcroft are manufactories of woolens, lumber, 
dyes, spools, pianos, vinegar, and canoes; there are also 
canneries and creameries. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Foxcroft 

Foxcroft Mills. C. A. St.Onge, Agent. 

Product — Men's cassimeres. 

Equipment — 10 sets of cards, 49 broad looms, 1 narrow loom, 3780 

woolen spindles, 3 boilers, 2 water wheels. 
These mills dye and finish. 



56 



^ 



^ 



AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV* 



i5ii i,iii Bi la »i u si f ? ■*| d u- Ti - — •^iiiiiii: 

'I!li ViM m W3 If f I IE 55 «S f 5 ?:; 5- -- -- -- - - - B I J. 



3 I 



FoxcROFT Mills 

• FOXCROFT- MAINE" 



57 



?Ij! 



S5 



AMERICAN • NA/ O O L E N • COMPANV 




Hartland ■ Maine ■ 

HE Sebasticook River, on which Hartland 
is situated, is the outlet of Moose Lake, and 
is the principal water power of the town 
for its manufactures of woolens and lumber. 
Hartland is some forty miles from Bangor, on a branch 
of the Maine Central Railroad running from Harmony 
to Pittsfield. The surface of the town is very uneven, 
although it has no hills, and the underlying rock is 
chiefly granite. 

Hartland is very prettily situated, and contains a 
number of churches and attractive homes. There is 
excellent fishing in Moose Lake, of landlocked salmon, 
black bass, and pickerel. 

To Hartland come quite a number of summer 
visitors. Many prominent and successful Americans 
have received their education at the well-known Hart- 
land Academy. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Hartland 

Hartland Mills. Thos. Thomas, Agent. 
Product — Woolens. 
Equipment — 15 sets of cards, 74 looms, 5850 spindles, 3 boilers, 3 water 

wheels. 
These mills also dye. 



58 



^ 



^ 



AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV* 






HhP^M 











.Si-.l 1 I. 



Hartland Mills 



" Hartland- Maine* 



59 



::y^ 



AMERICAN ' WOOLEN • COMPANV 



Madison ■ Maine 



^ 




ETTLED about 1730, incorporated in 1804, 
the town was named after President Madi- 
son. It is situated eight miles northwest 
^ of Skowhegan, on the east bank of the 
Kennebec, at Norridgewock Falls, and two dams on 
the river furnish abundant water power. It is both 
a farming and manufacturing town, and hemlock, 
cedar, maple, birch, and oak abound in the forests. 
The surrounding country produces apples, oats, and hay. 
Here are manufactures of woolen, lumber, paper, and 
pulp. 

Madison has a Carnegie Library, and an electric 
light plant owned by the village corporation. 

At Old Point, near here, came the end of the 
Norridgewock Indian tribe. In 1724, in an attack upon 
the village by the Indians, Rasle, a missionary to the 
Abnaki Indians, was killed. A monument erected to 
him is in the southwestern part of the town, on the 
site of the church in which he formerly ministered. 
The scenes of this attack are described in Whittier's 
poem, ''Mogg Megone." 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Madison 

Indian Spring Mill. John White, Agent. 
Product — Fancy woolens. 

Equipment — 12 sets of cards, 52 broad looms, 1 narrow loom, 5400 
spindles, 2 boilers, 2 water wheels. 



60 



ST 



3^ 



• AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 







i 1 1 m T ^ ^ ^ I ^*V'' ' ; 






NDiAN Spring Mills 

■ Madison- Maine* 



61 



^l! 



AMERICAN ' WOOLEN • COMPANV 




■ Newport ■ Maine ■ 

EWPORT is on the Maine Central Railroad, 
about twenty-seven miles west of Bangor, 
and was incorporated as a town in June, 
1814. 

The first formal gathering of the citizens of the 
town was in 1812, for the purpose of mutual defence 
against the Indians, and at this meeting a committee 
of five, after due deliberation, brought in the following 
report: "That each head of family should prepare him- 
self with a pound of powder and balls, put new flints 
in guns and keep them well loaded and hung up over 
the fire-place for immediate use in case of attack. Also, 
that the women should keep kettles of water hot with 
suitable articles to throw the same, and that all the 
boys should keep a sharp look-out that they may not 
be surprised." 

Picturesquely located on the shores of beautiful 
Sebasticook Lake, which has a wide reputation for its 
excellent white perch fishing, Newport is headquarters 
for campers. While its chief manufactures are woolens 
and condensed milk, an excellent quality of granite for 
building is found here in abundance. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Newport 

Newport Mills. Chas. E. Jones, Agent. 
Product — Fancy woolens. 

Equipment — 9 sets of cards, 45 broad looms, 2 narrow looms, 2 pickers, 
2300 woolen spindles, 2 boilers, 2 water wheels. 



62 



=:^ 



^ 



AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COMPANY 



■»^j 




|^..iiriili.lfi{Ji,{IS»|f[ 



Newport Mills 

■ Newport- Maine* 



63 



^< 



•AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COM PAN V 




North Vassalboro ■ Maine ■ 

ASSALBORO, of which North Vassalboro 
is a part, is on the Maine Central Rail- 
road, in Kennebec County, on the east 
side of the Kennebec River, north of and 
adjoining Augusta. 

The first settlers came to Vassalboro in 1760, and 
were largely from towns on Cape Cod. Vassalboro 
was incorporated April 26, 1771. 

The soil of this section is excellent, the farmers are 
thrifty, and the town is prosperous, particular attention 
being given to the cultivation of fruits. There are 
several mills here — a woolen mill, sawmills, a grist and 
excelsior mill, paper mill, shingle mill, and machine 
shop. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT North Vassalboro 

Vassalboro Mills. Jas. McDougall, Agent. 

Product — Overcoatings and fancy woolens. 

Equipment — 22 sets of cards, 106 broad looms, 4 narrow looms, 8710 

spindles, 4 boilers, 1 water wheel. 
These mills dye and finish. 



64 



(1^ 



^ 



AMERICAN • NA^OOLEN • COMPANV 




Vassalboro Mills 

•North "Vassalboro- Maine 



it 



65 



;:^ 



3h 



AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 




■ Oakland ■ Maine ■ 

fiAKLAND is a fine town, six miles west of 
Waterville, on the Maine Central and 
Somerset Railroads, and is connected by 
^ trolley with Waterville. Here are manu- 
factured woolens, axes, scythes, yarns, carriages, lumber, 
and shovel handles. 

Lake Messalonskee, on which Oakland is situated, 
abounds with fine salmon, trout, bass, and perch. 
There is good hunting here in the fall, and there are 
summer camps and many summer visitors. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Oakland 

Oakland Mills, r. Brier, Agent. 

Product — Women's and men's woolens. 

Equipment — 9 sets of cards, 46 broad looms, 1 narrow loom, 2820 woolen 

spindles, 2 boilers. Electric. 
These mills also dye. 



66 



^ 



• AMERICAN • W^OOLEN • COMPANV 



w'-^i^i 




%^«^^ 




Umm w 

«:i.jpi^»n.,., ifl|..i..iHiHl li 



Oakland Mills 

•Oakland- Maine* 



it 



67 



^ 



AMERICAN • NA^OOLEN • COMPANV- 



^ 




■ Oldtown ■ Maine ■ 

HE city of Oldtown is thirteen miles north- 
east of Bangor, on the Maine Central and 
Bangor & Aroostook Railroads, and comprises 
two islands in the Penobscot River, as well 
as part of the mainland on the west bank of the 
river. The first white settler, who came to this vicinity 
in 1774, settled on Marsh Island, the old name for the 
large island which is now Oldtown proper. It is said 
that a Roman Catholic mission was started here 
soon after the settlement at Jamestown. In 1840, 
Oldtown was incorporated as a separate township, 
and in 1891 it was chartered as a city. 

One of the oldest railways in the United States, be- 
tween Oldtown and Bangor, was completed in 1836. 
There is a railroad bridge which crosses the Penobscot 
and connects the city with Milford. 

Oldtown is headquarters for guides for the back- 
woods, and a settlement of Penobscot Indians on 
Indian Island is of much interest to visitors. The 
Penobscot River furnishes extensive water power, and 
here are manufactured woolens, boots and shoes, boats 
and canoes, lumber, and chemical fats. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Oldtown 

OUNEGAN Mills. F. M. Beasley, Agent. 
Product — Fancy woolens. 

Equipment — 8 sets of cards, 52 broad looms, 2 narrow looms, 3000 
spindles, 2 boilers. Electric. 



68 



S! 



i!^ 



AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COMPANV 





m 



I 



OuNEGAN Mills 

• Oldtown • Maine • 



<tt 



69 



^ 



^ 



AMERICAN ' WOOLEN • COMPANV- 



PiTTSFiELD ■ Maine 



PITTSFIELD is an active little place, with 
diversified manufacturing in the way of 
I woolen and flour mills, a corn-canning estab- 
,_,,,_./ lishment, lumbering, etc. Formerly known 
as Plymouth Gore, it is pleasantly situated on the 
Sebasticook River, thirty-four miles west of Bangor, 
and is served by the Maine Central Railroad. 

The farmers of this section give much attention to 
fruit growing, and have particularly fine apple orchards. 
About here is excellent fishing. In Pittsfield is the 
Maine Central Institute, an elegant old building, and 
here are fitted many students for Bates and other 
colleges. 

The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Pittsfield 

Pioneer Mills. Fred W. Lane, Agent. 
Product — Fancy woolens. 
Equipment — 17 sets of cards, 80 broad looms, 4 narrow looms, 7248 

spindles, 4 boilers, 2 water wheels. 
These mills dye and finish. 

Sebasticook Mills. A. F. Bailey, Superintendent. 
Product — Fancy Woolens. 
Equipment — 4 sets of cards, 23 broad looms, 1 boiler, 1 water wheel. 

Waverly Mills. A. T. Spaulding, Agent. 
Product — Fancy woolens. 
Equipment — 9 sets of cards, 60 broad looms, 2 narrow looms, 3304 

woolen spindles, 3 boilers, 3 water wheels. 
These mills dye and finish. 

Pittsfield Yarn Mills. Jas. HalHday, Superintendent. 
Product — Yarns. 
Equipment — 6 sets of cards, 2340 spindles, 1 boiler. 



70 




^ 



^B 



AMERICAN • VyOOLEN • COMPANV 










Pioneer Mills 

• PiTTSFiELD- Maine- 



71 



^ 



AMERICAN 



C O M P A N V • 




valV' 



/; ■•.-'> 






PiTTSFiELD Yarn Mills 

• PITTSFIELD" Maine* 



72 



?5 




i!^ 



. AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COMPANV* 







35 



Sebasticook Mills 

■ Pittsfield'Maine- 



fc 



73 



. AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COMPANV' 



^ 








_ ,_,*i 



Waverly Mills 

■ PiTTSFiELD- Maine* 



74 



:;y! 



if^ 



AMERICAN • V700LEN • COMPANV 



Skowhegan ■ Maine 




ffHE first settlement upon the site of Skow- 
hegan was made in 1775. The name is an 
Indian word and is said to mean ''a place of 
^ watch," it being a place where the Indians 
gathered to watch and catch salmon and other fish. 
The first incorporation was as Milburn in 1823, the 
present name dating from 1836. 

Situated at Kennebec Falls, on both sides of the 
Kennebec River, on the Maine Central Railroad, thirty 
miles from Augusta, Skowhegan is a very pleasant 
town, with beautiful drives along the river road. 

It has a fine court house, a public library, Coburn 
Park, Somerset Hospital and Kennebec Valley Hos- 
pital. The manufactures of Skowhegan are woolen 
goods, paper and pulp, sash, doors and blinds, and 
cigars. It is particularly important as a shipping- 
point for various dairy products. 



The American Woolen Company's Mills 
AT Skowhegan 

Arms Mills. W. H. Cummings, Agent. 
Product — Fancy worsteds. 
Equipment — 84 broad looms, 3 narrow looms. 

Anderson Mills. W. H. Cummings, Agent, 

Product — Fancy cassimeres, etc. 

Equipment — of the Combined Anderson Mills — 24 sets of cards, 107 
broad looms, 5 narrow looms, 9240 spindles, 3 boilers, 1 water wheel. 
Employ 200. 
These mills dye and finish. 



76 



^ 






AMERICAN • NA/O 



'li("ff""illg| 



C O M P A N V 





^^^^r^ 'i3 



iSr 'Sir f'WB « - 








No. 4 Anderson Mills 



Skowhegan ■ Maine 



Anderson Mills 

(LOWER) 

"Skowhegan • Maine- 



78 



•AMERICAN • NA^OOLEN • COMPANV* 



35 




Harrisville and Pascoag ■ R ■ I ■ 

fJOTH Harrisville and Pascoag are in the 
town of Burrillville, which is situated on 
the New York, New Haven & Hartford 
Railroad, about twenty-three miles north- 
west of the city of Providence, and was named after 
the Hon. James Burrill. The territory was originally 
included in the town of Glocester, but was set off in 
1806. 

Harrisville is a post-village, and has manufactures 
of woolen goods, its banking point being Pascoag. 

Pascoag is said to have been named after an Indian 
tribe called the Pas-co-ag Indians. It is tradition 
that in the Indian dialect ''coag" meant snake. The 
country, being ledgy, offered secure retreat for snakes, 
and when the Indians went by this locality they said 
''Pass-coag." It is the largest village in the town of 
Burrillville, and contains a number of mills and stores. 
The Freewill Baptist Church of Pascoag was the first 
society of this denomination organized in the State. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Harrisville and Pascoag 

Anchor Mills (Inman Mills at Harrisville, Sheffield Mills at 
Pascoag). W. A. Inman, Agent. 
Product — Men's- wear worsteds. 
Equipment — of the Combined Anchor Mills, 158 broad looms, 8 narrow 

looms, 5 boilers, 2 water wheels. 
Employ 425. 
These mills dye and finish. 



80 



^ 



i!9 



m 



AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COMPANV 







.rrrrrsfl^^ 




ANCHOR-lNMAN MILLS 
• Harrisville ■ R • I • 



<t 



Anchor-Sheffield Mills 

■ Pascoag • R ■ I • 



81 



il 



AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COMPANV 



Manton ■ R • I 



H( • f ANTON is a suburb of the city of Providence, 
|\ /I in the town of Johnston, four miles west 
i 1 VI by north of Providence. It was named 
■ ^L — .-^-„-^ ^ after Edward Manton, who located where 
the Edward Manton homestead stands. It is believed 
that the homestead was built as early as 1683, by 
Edward Manton, son of Shadrach Manton, an associate 
of Roger Williams. Members of the Manton family 
were among the great landowners of the early days of 
the plantations. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Manton 

Manton Mills. Wm. Coleman, Jr., Agent. 
Product — Fancy worsteds. 

Equipment — 190 broad looms, 5 boilers, 2 water wheels. 
These mills also dye. 



::^ 



82 



AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COMPANV 



m 




ii 



Manton Mills 

■MANTON" R* 1 • 



83 



^ 



i!? 



AMERICAN • \A/ O O L E N • COMPANV 



^ 



Providence - R • I - 



ROVIDENCE, the capital of Rhode Island, 

Pthe second city in New England, with an 
area of over eighteen square miles, is 
situated on the Providence River, at the 
head of Narragansett Bay, thirty-five miles from the 
ocean. It is said that Providence, like Rome, was 
built on seven hills. Its streets are pleasantly ir- 
regular and singularly uneven. It has many beautiful 
residences and many interesting old houses of the 
eighteenth century — fine examples of Colonial archi- 
tecture — many of them set well back from the street, 
with an occasional walled garden. A fine park system 
embraces over forty city parks. Among the handsome 
public buildings are the State House, new Federal 
Building, City Hall, the Union Station, State Armory, 
Public Library, and State Normal School. 

In Providence is Brown University, founded in 
1764. The meeting-house of the First Baptist Church 
was built in 1775, and retains the old custom of ring- 
ing the curfew bell at nine o'clock every evening. The 
widely-known Rhode Island School of Design is here. 
There are many churches and charitable institutions, 
and the school system is excellent. 

Roger Williams, who was banished from Massa- 
chusetts Colony, and with his associates founded 
Providence in 1636, settled first on the east side of the 
Seekonk, afterwards moving to the west side of the 
river. Roger Williams was the first apostle of civil 
and religious liberty, and the settlement of Rhode 
Island and Providence Plantations was the first where 
absolute freedom of conscience prevailed — it was the 
earliest separation of church and state. The town took 



it 



84 



^ 



ij^ 



AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 



an active part in the War of the Revolution, and much 
privateering was carried on from here. Rhode Island 
was among the first of the Colonies to protest against 
taxation without representation, and a short distance 
down the bay from Providence one of the first acts of 
aggression was committed against Great Britain, in 
June, 1772, by the burning of the British schooner 
"Gaspee." In the Old State House on North Main 
Street, in May, 1776, two months before the Declar- 
ation of Independence at Philadelphia, Rhode Island 
declared itself independent of the government of Great 
Britain. 

Providence ranks tenth among the seaports of the 
United States in bulk of tonnage and value of cargoes. 
It is served by the New York, New Haven & Hartford 
Railroad, and steamers to various ports. The manu- 
factures are many and varied. It is the first city in 
the country in the manufacture of many things, in- 
cluding jewelry and silverware, screws, and machinists' 
tools, and is the business centre for many large textile 
factories in Rhode Island and other parts of New Eng- 
land. Providence was incorporated as a town in 1649, 
and as a city in 1832. 



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The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Providence 

National and Providence Worsted Mills. 

Geo. W. Smith, Agent. 

Product — Worsted yarns (all sizes) and cloths. 

Equipment — 26 worsted cards, 8 woolen cards, 26 worsted combs, 390 

broad looms, 6 narrow looms, 22,728 worsted spindles, 13 boilers, 2 

water wheels. 
Employ 2200. 
These mills dye and finish. 



85 



35 



AMERICAN • WOOL EN • C O M P A N V 



Riverside Worsted Mills. William E. Helliwell, Agent. 

Product — Suitings. 

Equipment — 23 worsted cards, 22 worsted combs, 382 broad looms, 
9 narrow looms, 19,096 worsted spindles, 20 boilers. 

Employ 1800. 
These mills also dye. 

Valley Mills. Albert B. Day, Agent. - 

Product — Worsted yarns. 

Equipment — 28 woolen cards, 12,870 woolen spindles, 10 boilers. 

These mills also dye. 

Weybosset Mills, d. A. Haig, Agent. 

Product — Fancy cassimeres and worsteds. 

Equipment — 20 sets of cards, 271 broad looms, 7 narrow looms, 9300 
woolen spindles, 8 boilers. 

Employ 800. 

These mills dye and finish. 




86 



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National and Providence 
Worsted Mills 

• PROVIDENCE'R'I • 



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Riverside Worsted Mills 

• PROVIDENCE" R- 1' 



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Valley Mills 

•Providence* R-I- 



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Weybosset Mills 

•Providence-R-I" 



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AMERICAN • NA^OOLEN • COMPANV 



■ Warren • R • I 




i^HE site of Warren is said to have been a 
favorite resort of Massasoit, the old Indian 
chief. It is not known when the first house 
^ was built in Warren, although it is said there 
was a dwelling there as early as 1635, but in 1746 part 
of Swansea and Barrington, and a small part of Re- 
hoboth, were incorporated into a township by the name 
of Warren. The settlement is said to have been named 
in honor of Admiral Sir Peter Warren, an admiral of 
the English fleet which assisted in the capture of Louis- 
burg in 1745. 

From 1764 to 1770 this was the seat of Rhode Island 
College, afterwards Brown University at Providence. 

Before the Revolutionary War, during which it 
lost fourteen of its vessels, the town was largely engaged 
in whale fishing and foreign commerce, and years ago 
its harbor was filled with shipping. This commerce 
has now gone, and its great industries are woolen and 
cotton. 

Warren is a pleasant old town, ten miles south of 
Providence, on Narragansett Bay and the Warren 
River, and is surrounded by a fine farming country. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Warren 

Narragansett Worsted Mills. George P. Boothman, Agent. 

Product — Worsted yarns. 
Equipment — 4608 spindles. Electric. 
Employ 100. 



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Narragansett Mills 

•Warren- R* I • 



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AMERICAN • NA^OOLEN • COMPANV- 



Dover ■ N ■ H 



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___^^ OVER is one of the two oldest towns in 
I "\ New Hampshire, being settled in 1623 
§ ^ :' and receiving its city charter in 1755. Its 
Indian name was Cocheco, which name is 
perpetuated by that of the Cocheco River, on both 
sides of which Dover is situated. During the seven- 
teenth century Dover was a frontier town and suffered 
greatly from Indian attacks, and in such an attack in 
June, 1689, many of the houses were burned and many 
persons were carried into captivity. 

The Cocheco River has a direct fall at Dover of 
32 feet, and furnishes fine water power for the use of 
the factories. Here are situated woolen mills and cotton 
mills; and boots and shoes, machinery, castings, belt- 
ing, and lumber are made here. 

Dover has a fine city hall, court house, public library 
and other public buildings. The streets of the city are 
irregular. It has quite a number of old houses and 
a number of historic spots. There is an observatory 
at the top of Garrison Hill, in the northern part of the 
city, and from this a fine view of the surrounding 
country can be obtained. The city operates its own 
water works. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Dover 

Sawyer Mills, a. b. Paton, Agent. 

Product — Fancy woolens and worsteds for men's wear. 

Equipment — 42 sets of cards, 140 broad looms, 7 narrow looms, 13,000 

woolen spindles, 7 boilers, 3 water wheels. 
Employ 550. 
These mills dye and finish. 



94 



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AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 




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SAWYER Mills 

• Dover • N • H ■ 



95 



AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 



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Enfield ■ N ■ H 



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IfNFIELD is quite a popular summer resort, 
the surrounding country being particularly 
lovely and attractive, dotted with beau- 
i^ tiful hills and lakes; and the neighborhood 

offers excellent opportunities for fishing and hunting. 
It is situated on Mascoma Lake, which is five miles 
long and is on the Concord Division of the Boston & 
Maine Railroad, 134 miles from Boston. Enfield was 
incorporated August 18th, 1778, and the town bound- 
aries were settled in 1802. 

On the south bank of Mascoma Lake is a Shaker 
village, of particular interest to tourists and other 
visitors. Nine miles from Enfield is Hanover, the 
seat of Dartmouth College. The agricultural and 
mechanical products of Enfield are known in every 
New England market. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Enfield 

Baltic Mills. W. d. West, Agent. 
Product — Overcoatings. 

Combined Equipment — 16 sets of cards, 80 broad looms, 1 narrow 
loom, 6336 spindles, 4 boilers, 3 water wheels. 

Employ 300. 

These mills dye and finish. 



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96 



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AMERICAN • V^ O O L E N • COMPANV 




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Baltic Mills 

• Enfield ■ N • H • 



97 



AMERICAN V NA^ O O L E N • COMPANV 



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• Lebanon ■ N ■ H ■ 

HE territory in which Lebanon, New Hamp- 
shire, is situated, was granted July 4th, 
1761, to Nehemiah Estabrook. Lebanon was 
settled in 1762, and was named after the 
village of Lebanon, Connecticut. Situated in the 
Mascoma Valley near Mascoma Lake, on the Concord 
Division of the Boston & Maine Railroad, Lebanon is 
sixty-five miles by rail northwest of Concord. 

It is a clean, prosperous, progressive New England 
town, with good water and sewerage, finely laid - out 
streets shaded by stately elm trees, with a beautiful 
park in its centre. The surrounding country is very 
attractive, and in the vicinity is a Shaker community, 
of interest to visitors. 

The industries of the town are diversified — it has 
woolen mills, machine shops, knitting mills, overall 
factories, wood-working shops, etc. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Lebanon 

Lebanon Mills, f. C. Morse, Agent. 

Product — Woolen goods. 

Equipment — 10 sets of cards, 48 broad looms, 3600 woolen spindles^ 

3 boilers, 2 water wheels. 
These mills dye and finish. 

Mascoma Mills, f. C. Morse, Agent. 

Product — Woolen goods. 

Equipment — 13 sets of cards, 82 broad looms, 5760 spindles, 3 boilers,, 

2 water wheels. 
These mills dye and finish. 



98 



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• AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 




Lebanon Mills 

• Lebanon -N- H- 



99 



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Mascoma Mills 

•Lebanon* N* H" 



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AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COMPANV 



■ Elmville ■ Conn ■ 

LMVILLE is a pleasantly situated village, 
twenty-five miles northeast of Norwich. 
The Quinebaug River and Five Mile River 
join at Danielson, and furnish water power 
for the woolen, cotton, tire, duck and other industries. 

The general tone and character of the village are 
excellent, and its surroundings are attractive. 




The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Elmville 

WhiteSTONE Mills. Needham Brown, Agent. 
Product — Woolens and worsteds. 

Equipment — 40 broad looms, 1 narrow loom, 1 boiler, 1 water wheel. 
Employ 80. 
These mills dye and finish. 



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Whitestone Mills 

•Elmville-Conn- 



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103 



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AMERICAN • V^OOLEN • COMPANV 



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Moosup ■ Conn ■ 

f^OOSUP is on the Moosup River, thirty-two 
miles west-southwest of Providence, and 
is served by the New York, New Haven & 
Hartford Railroad. It really is part of the 



town of Plainfield, which was settled in 1689 by men 
and women from Chelmsford. Its plains were called 
"Egypt," from the great amount of corn which was 
raised. It was incorporated in May, 1699. 

Its manufactures are woolen and cotton goods, 
carriages, etc. In the surrounding country the farms 
are in a high state of cultivation, and the farmers 
are thrifty and prosperous. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Moosup 

Moosup (Lower) Mills and Glen Falls Mills. 

Wm. Deacon, Jr., Agent 
Product — Woolens and worsteds. 

Equipment — 15 sets of cards, 100 broad looms, 5 narrow looms, 6550 
woolen spindles, 4 boilers, 4 water wheels. 

Employ 500. 

These mills dye and finish. 



104 



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AMERICAN • V^OOLEN • COMPANV 





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MOOSUP 


(Lower) 


Mills 






•MOOSUP-CONN- 












Glen 


Falls 


Mills 






■ Moosup- Conn- 



105 



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AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 



■ Fulton ■ N ■ Y ■ 

HE city of Fulton is in Oswego county, on 
the banks of the Oswego River, twenty- 
five miles northwest of Syracuse. Its means 
-4 of communication are the New York Central ; 
New York, Ontario & Western, and the Delaware & 
Lackawanna Railways ; the Oswego Branch of the New 
York State Barge Canal, and an electric railway to 
Oswego and Syracuse. Fulton was really settled about 
1793, although Captain John Bradstreet, soon after a 
successful battle with the Indians in 1756, erected a 
fort on the site of Fulton. It was incorporated as a 
village in 1835, and, combined with Oswego Falls, was 
incorporated as a city in 1902. It has a public li- 
brary, city hall, opera house, and other public buildings. 
It owns and operates its water works. 

The water power is abundant, produced by two 
falls of the Oswego River which are made famous in 
Cooper's ''Pathfinder." The industries of Fulton in- 
clude woolen, flour, chocolate, steel, gun, knife, and 
paper; there are also machine shops. In 1914, there 
were within the city limits fifty-one industrial establish- 
ments of factory grade, employing nearly 3,300 persons. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Fulton 

Fulton Mills. J. W. Stevenson, Agent. 
Product — Piece-dyed men's wear. 

Equipment — 710 broad looms, 2 narrow looms, 26 worsted cards, 26 
worsted combs, 16,800 twister spindles, 48,000 worsted spindles, 
21 boilers, 3 sets of water wheels of 1500 h. p. each. Electric. 

Employ 1500. 
These mills also dye. 



106 



• AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV* 



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Fulton Mills 

■ FULTON' N "Y- 



107 



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AMERICAN • W/OOLEN • CO M P A N V • 




■ Utica • N • Y ■ 

]f| SETTLEMENT was begun on the present 
site of Utica shortly after the close of the 
War of Independence, and, until its in- 
corporation as a town in 1798 under its 
present name, it was known as ''Old Fort Schuyler." 
It was incorporated as a city in 1832. The Erie Canal 
was completed in 1825, and assisted materially in the 
growth of Utica, which had been slow up to that time. 

Utica is the shipping point for the products of large 
dairies — cheese particularly. The surrounding coun- 
try is very fertile, and hop growing is an important 
industry. Here are many large manufactories of woolen 
goods, cotton goods, hosiery and knit goods, clothing, 
steam fittings and heating apparatus, firearms, lumber 
products, foundry and machinery products. 

Utica is pleasantly situated on the south bank of 
the Mohawk River, about 52 miles east of Syracuse, and 
is a very pleasant city, Genesee street being a particu- 
larly handsome thoroughfare. The city has a large 
number of charitable organizations and institutions. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Utica 

Globe Mills. J. C. Werner, Agent. 

Product — Fancy worsteds and woolen men's wear. 

Equipment — 15 sets woolen cards, 11 sets worsted cards, 18 combs, 

108 broad looms, 11 narrow looms, 6480 woolen spindles, 6390 worsted 

spindles, 8 boilers. Electric. 
These mills also dye. 



108 



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AMERICAN • WOOLEN • COMPANV 



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•Utica-N-Y- 



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WiNOOSKI ■ VT 



TspjHE village of Winooski was settled in 1772 
and incorporated in 1888. It is situated 
III on the Winooski River, two miles north- 
ii east of Burlington, and is served by the 
Central Vermont Railroad. This pleasant village is 
surrounded with beautiful scenery, and near the 
village is a monument to Ethan Allen, a noted Rev- 
olutionary commander and the colonel of the ''Green 
Mountain Boys." 

There is an extensive water power at Winooski, 
the river here falling about thirty-five feet. The 
manufactures of the village are woolen goods, cotton 
goods, lumber, lime, and screens. It is said that 
the village of Winooski produces more wire screens 
than any other town or city in the world. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Winooski 

Burlington Mills. George E. Whitney, Agent. 

Product — Kerseys, Friezes, Meltons, Thibets, worsted dress goods, etc. 
Equipment — 26 sets of cards, 312 broad looms, 6 narrow looms, 15,160 

spindles, 13 boilers, 4 water wheels. 
Employ 1500. 
These mills dye and finish. 

ChamplAIN Mills. George E. Whitney, Agent. 

Product — Piece-dyed worsteds and serges. 

Equipment — 4 worsted combs, 275 broad looms, 10,000 worsted spindles, 
2 boilers, 2 water wheels. 



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110 



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AMERICAN • \A/ O O L E N • COMPANV* 




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Burlington Mills 

• WiNOOSKI- VT" 






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■ WiNOOSKI ■ Vt- 



112 



AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN- COMPANV 



- Louisville - Ky 




ITUATED at the falls of the Ohio River, 
Louisville is 130 miles by water and 110 
miles by rail southwest of Cincinnati. 
Ten great railroad systems centre here. 
Built upon a plateau sixty feet above low-water mark 
of the river, there is a frontage of between seven and 
eight miles on the river-front. The river is spanned by 
three steel railroad bridges, which connect the city 
with New Albany and Jeffersonville. 

La Salle visited the falls in 1669 or 1670, and Louis- 
ville was settled in 1779 and named in honor of Louis 
XVI of France. In 1780, Louisville was incorporated 
under its present name. It received its first charter as 
a city in 1828, its second in 1851, its third in 1870, 
and its fourth in 1893. Louisville has many imposing 
buildings and three beautiful parks, and is noted as a 
centre of education. 

Louisville not only has the largest leaf tobacco mar- 
ket in the world, and an extensive trade in pork, wheat, 
and corn, but it has large manufactories, among them 
woolen mills, iron foundries, and canneries. It is the 
great commercial gateway to the Southwest. 



The American Woolen Co.'s Mills 
AT Louisville 

Bradford Mills. J. G. Ellis, Agent. 

Product — Worsted weaving and knitting yarns. 

Equipment — 5 cards, 5 worsted combs, 7760 worsted spindles, 3640 
twister spindles, 3 boilers. 



114 



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AMERICAN • NA/OOLEN • COMPANV 




Bradford Mills 

• Louisville- Ky" 



115 




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